Monday kickstarts the Erie Chamber Orchestra’s 2014-2015 season with “A New Era Begins.”
This piece is the first of three big works the orchestra chose to start the season with.
“This year we are featuring three concertos written by living American composers,” said Steve Weiser, the general manager and executive director of ECO.
“A New Era Begins” is the inaugural event of the Joe Luckey Recital Series, a series established to honor the late maintenance worker who served Gannon for more than 40 years. Recital attendants will soon see Joe Luckey’s organ featured in the Erie Chamber Orchestra.
This first concert is where Maureen Conlon Gutierrez will make her debut as the new concertmaster.
She is the second concertmaster in ECO history.
Howard Lyon, the previous concertmaster, had been with the group since the beginning in 1978.
Gutierrez is a Pittsburgh native and credits include playing for the Pittsburgh Symphony.
She will be playing with the ECO for a full concert on Friday night as well.
It’s the first time the ECO will host two events in one week.
Premiere violinist Roberto Diaz will play back-to-back performances Sept. 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Diaz is the current president of the Curtis Institute of Music, which is located in Philadelphia.
He is also a former principal violinist for the Philadelphia Orchestra.
“The concerto we are doing was written especially for, [Diaz],” Weiser said.
On Friday the orchestra will play Roberto Sierra’s “Concerto for Viola”. Sierra will be in attendance for this concert.
Weiser noted how excited the orchestra is to have Sierra in the audience.
“He’s one of the top five most famous composers alive.”
Weiser is thrilled at the growth and direction that the orchestra is currently experiencing.
With a great opening, new venue, and new concertmaster, The Erie Chamber Orchestra is ready to kick off its 37th season.
“It’s going to be a fantastic season,” said Weiser.
“A New Era Begins” will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Luther Memorial Church located at 225 West 10th Street.
MIKE FUJITO
